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BMW Warning on water brand being used

Wouldn't it be something if the new water-cooled GS didn't function as designed because we will be putting American water in its radiator? I know BMW blames our fuel for many driveability problems and other bike functions like fuel strips. I can hear it now when a dealer says, "Sorry Mr. Customer, but the factory (BMW) says your R12XXGS is overheating due to the use of USA water in the radiator. However, I have some BMW brand water available....just $37.28 a quart!" DON'T LAUGH JUST YET.

As a drag racer I must disagree about the use of ethanol as a motor fuel, as long as the system is built for it, it is a very powerful cool running fuel. It should not be blended at 5 to 15% in our regular gas though as many cars and bikes can't tolerate it. Some of the fastest street legal drag cars in the U.S. are built and tuned to run on E-85 and some of these cars are in the 2,000 to 2,500 hp range (that's NOT a typo).

... and yes, when the bike overheats because the plastic water pump impeller was eroded away from the use of a nonaproved coolant, the warranty will be declined. Phosphates, silicates, borates and nitrites & 2-EHA will be the new ZDDP, except that we may want less of them instead of more.

Wouldn't it be something if the new water-cooled GS didn't function as designed because we will be putting American water in its radiator? I know BMW blames our fuel for many driveability problems and other bike functions like fuel strips. I can hear it now when a dealer says, "Sorry Mr. Customer, but the factory (BMW) says your R12XXGS is overheating due to the use of USA water in the radiator. However, I have some BMW brand water available....just $37.28 a quart!" DON'T LAUGH JUST YET.

Geez, you boxer types act like water cooling is something new and amazing. BMWs have been coming in water cooled varieties for decades. We've got three of them in our garage.

No need to panic on the water type used. Just make sure you use the right coolant and good distilled or RO water. Even european bottled water would be a no-no as it contains undesirable minerals just the same as North American tap water.

Ed Miller, Calgary, AB
2008 K1200GT, 2009 F800GS
I can't wait to retire and have a fixed income. The one I have now is always broke.

Yep, distilled water (pure H20) is the same all over the universe. And that is the only thing that should go in a radiator along with the proper coolant. Of course which coolant will become its own online battleground.

American Fuel & Water

Folks,

To clarify on misconception, the issue with American fuel is not so much ethanol content but high sulfur and other contaminants. Based on my own random sampling, I find American water to be superior to European-sourced fluid. Maybe we can trade?

Fairly sure BMW sells premixed water/anti freeze already. I used some when I had my 1985 K100. And yes, there were warnings about which anti-freezes were compatible with the K100's all aluminum radiators since cars were still mostly copper/brass/whatever radiators.

For what it's worth, I had the K100 for more than 22 years and never had any issues with the water cooling.

Fairly sure BMW sells premixed water/anti freeze already. I used some when I had my 1985 K100. And yes, there were warnings about which anti-freezes were compatible with the K100's all aluminum radiators since cars were still mostly copper/brass/whatever radiators.

For what it's worth, I had the K100 for more than 22 years and never had any issues with the water cooling.

Wouldn't it be something if the new water-cooled GS didn't function as designed because we will be putting American water in its radiator? I know BMW blames our fuel for many driveability problems and other bike functions like fuel strips. I can hear it now when a dealer says, "Sorry Mr. Customer, but the factory (BMW) says your R12XXGS is overheating due to the use of USA water in the radiator. However, I have some BMW brand water available....just $37.28 a quart!" DON'T LAUGH JUST YET.

Laugh?!? Once the specifications are published, as are the specs for oil, brake fluid etc are published it sounds like an opportunity for a cleaver entrepreneur to make an alternative within the specs and laugh all the way to the bank.

Just a little side note:
There is a difference between "purified" water and Distilled water - the purified can still have minerals in it. Keep with the distilled for your coolant, and purified for drinking.

I want it to match my paint job. Or at least, chartreuse and vermilion with mauve and taupe accents.